Welcome to Deal or no deal?, a series we're running ahead of the NBA's Feb. 9 trade deadline. Its purpose is to find sensible trade partners, both from a team-to-team and team-to-player perspective.
As a reminder, these aren't necessarily trades that have been reported or speculated about in the past, but rather trade scenarios we've come up with that we believe all parties involved should look into. Our first entry in the series examined why the Lakers and Suns should talk about an Anthony Davis trade. Next up, a hypothetical Pacers-Hawks deal.
Proposed tradePacers receive: John Collins
Hawks receive: Buddy Hield, Jalen Smith, 1st-round pick
Indiana certainly doesn't have to rush things, but Tyrese Haliburton's star leap has fueled a surprisingly solid Pacers team that's too good to tank.
Rather than seeking trades that'd send the team free-falling down the standings to boost its lottery odds, Indiana's front office should aim to add to a promising young core. The Pacers should try to retain center Myles Turner and continue building around a foundation of Haliburton, Turner, and youngsters Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith, and Andrew Nembhard.
Finding another forward - ideally a power forward - would round out that rising core nicely. Enter Collins, a young veteran at 25 years old whom the Hawks have reportedly had on the trade block for some time. Collins could use a change of scenery, is under contract through at least 2025, and represents the type of talent a market like Indiana would be hard-pressed to acquire via free agency.
Scott Cunningham / NBA / Getty ImagesAt an average annual salary of $25.1 million over the next three years, Collins' production in a supporting role could make him a bargain as the salary cap continues to rise.
After shooting better than 37% from deep through the first five years of his career, Collins' long-range accuracy has cratered this season (22.9%), and 3-pointers now make up a greater share of his overall shot diet than ever (31.7%). His increasing distance from the basket on the offensive end has also negatively affected his offensive rebounding, and his overall numbers this year leave something to be desired (13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists).
However, Collins is a lot better than those numbers suggest, and he could rediscover his offensive touch by sharing the frontcourt with a floor-spacing big man like Turner rather than centers like Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu. Collins' efficiency as a roller and post-up player, added to his experience with Trae Young, should make him a great partner for Haliburton. Though Collins is a 4 defensively and Turner thrives as a rim-protecting 5, they could almost fill opposite roles on the offensive end, with Collins - who's shooting 62.4% inside the arc this season - doing more of his work inside while Turner spreads the floor.
Collins is also an improved defender who's mobile enough to hang with agile big men but strong enough to bang with big bodies in the paint. The numbers match the eye test on that end, too. Among the 50 players who've defended the roll man in pick-and-rolls most often, Collins ranks 14th in limiting the efficiency of those actions. His block percentage of 3.9% ranks 13th, just ahead of Kristaps Porzingis, while ESPN's Defensive Real Plus-Minus ranks him as the eighth-best power forward.
In Collins and Turner, the Pacers would have a young frontcourt duo that provides an enviable combination of size, defense, shooting, rebounding, and versatility. Moving Hield and Smith would leave the Pacers with some financial flexibility, and Indiana would still have enough young talent and draft capital to get in the mix for a bigger trade should one present itself as the team continues its climb up the Eastern Conference in the coming years.
While losing Hield would hurt the Pacers' shooting, it'd also provide more immediate opportunities for Mathurin, Nembhard, and Nesmith; as a rookie, Mathurin is already looking like a Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBA / Getty ImagesAs for the Hawks, Hield would be the perfect antidote for an offense producing the fewest made 3-pointers per game (10.3) on the fourth-worst 3-point percentage (33.1%).
Hield is shooting 42.6% on nine 3-point attempts per game, with more than 63% of his shot attempts coming from behind the arc. Few shooters have been as effective over the last half-decade, and Young, Dejounte Murray, and the Hawks could use a veteran scorer who knows exactly what his role within the offense is (and sticks to it).
Though there'd be legitimate defensive concerns and the Hawks are already flush with guards, Hield could play the 3 beside Young and Murray, while his shooting in the backcourt could help stabilize bench units when one of those two rests.
Hield's also under contract for only $19.3 million next season, and his arrival would make Bogdan Bogdanovic's expiring deal more expendable. The Hawks could upgrade from Bogdanovic to Hield and perhaps even trade the former to recoup some draft capital.
As part of our hypothetical Collins-for-Hield swap, the Hawks could also take a flier on a young power forward with some upside in Smith and snag a first-round pick.
The only question would be which pick the Pacers could stomach parting with, and which pick Atlanta would settle for, as Indiana owns three first-rounders this June: its own, Boston's, and Cleveland's. The Hawks might prefer a pick in 2025 or 2027, years they're currently without a first-rounder due to their 2022 acquisition of Murray. Perhaps Atlanta can even talk the Pacers into sacrificing one of their 2023 picks and a protected pick in one of 2025 or 2027, although that feels a bit steep.
So, who says no to Hield, Smith, and a first-rounder (or two) for Collins?
Joseph Casciaro is theScore's senior content producer.
Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Joseph Casciaro
https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/2542211
By: Joseph Casciaro
Title: Deal or no deal? Pacers should make a play for John Collins
Sourced From: www.thescore.com/nba/news/2542211
Published Date: 01-11-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the greatest NBA dynasty?
This is a topic that has been hotly debated for decades. The 1980-1989 "showtime Lakers" were the dominant team in the league, winning five championships under Kareem AbdulJabbar and Magic Johnson. During this period, the Lakers featured stars such as James Worthy (Byron Scott), and Kurt Rambis.
The Los Angeles Lakers from 200-2004 (later the Shaw and Kobe Lakers), were a force that had to be reckoned. They were held by Shaquille Bryant's dynamic duo, Kobe Bryant and Kobe O'Neal, both Hall of Famer. They won three championships consecutively from 2000 through 2002.
The Chicago Bulls of 1995-1996 were also a dominant force in that era. They won six championships with Phil Jackson as their head coach and were led by Michael Jordan, widely considered the greatest player of our time. The Chico Bulls of 1995-1996 is among one of the most legendary teams in NBA history as they completed the first of three consecutive NBA championships and posted a then-record 72 wins that season. The Golden State Warriors later broke the Bulls' 72-10 regular season record in 2015-2016.
The Boston Celtics of 1965 are probably the most well-known dynasty of NBA basketball history. They won eight consecutive NBA championships and 11 titles during 13 years of Red Auerbach, Hall of Fame coach. Legendary players like Sam Jones, Bob Cousy and John Havlicek led the Celtics to a winning culture that has lasted for decades.
The San Antonio Spurs are another contender for the title of best NBA dynasty. The Spurs have won four championships since 1999 and enjoyed one of the most successful runs in NBA history. Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker, future Hall of Famer, Manu Ginobili as head coaches, improved the team’s basketball approach. This emphasised a team-first mentality which helped them succeed.
With four NBA championships over the past decade, the Golden State Warriors are one the most successful teams ever. Steve Kerr, Klay and Stephen Curry, as well as Klay, Klay, Thompson, are the Warriors' stars. The Warriors are a thrilling brand of basketball that has delighted fans around the world and is also considered the greatest NBA dynasty.
It is difficult to choose one team to be the greatest NBA dynasty. Each team had its own group of players and coaches who made them successful. But some teams were more notable than others because they were dominant. The Lakers, Bulls, Celtics, Spurs and Warriors would make a strong case for the greatest NBA dynasty.
What rivalry does the NBA have?
The NBA's biggest rivalry is held by the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.
The NBA Finals has seen 12 meetings between the Boston Celtics (with 9 wins) and the Los Angeles Lakers (12 wins). The Celtics won nine of those meetings. They first met in 1959. Both teams excelled in the years following, especially in the 1960s, 1980s and 1990s when they would be facing each other six and three times respectively. They still met twice in that same year, despite the fact that 2000 was a new millennium.
What is the difference between technical fouls and flagrant fouls in the NBA?
A technical foul in NBA refers to any unsportsmanlike behavior. This includes arguing with officials or excessive celebrating. A technical foul allows you to make one free throw, while the opposing team can also take possession of your ball.
A flagrant foul is assessed when a player commits violent or excessively aggressive contact against another player. The flagrant foul results in two free throws for each team and the possession of the ball. Flagrant one is the most severe and Flagrant 2 is the least. Flagrant one is a lesser offense than Flagrant 2 and doesn't result in an ejection.
Unlawful contact between two people on the court is called a personal foul. This usually refers to illegal hand-checking, pushing, pushing, or tripping an opponent. Personal fouls can also result in free throw attempts and possession of the ball for the opposing team. Personal fouls don't necessarily indicate unsportsmanlike behaviour, but they are different from technical fouls or flagrant fouls.
All fouls in the NBA may result in free throw attempts for the opposing team or possession of the ball. The intent behind each foul and the severity are the key to determining the difference between technical fouls or flagrant or personal fouls.
Who made the first basket for the NBA?
Ossie Schectman was an American pro basketball player. He scored the first basket with the Basketball Association of America, which later became the National Basketball Association. The Toronto Huskies played the New York Knickerbockers on November 1, 1946. Schectman's historic first basket was the opening of the inaugural season for BAA.
Who invented basketball?
It is not clear where the original origins for basketball were, however, many believe that James Naismith developed the game while he was a teacher at Springfield College (now YMCA Training School) in Springfield. Naismith created the rules and attached a peach basket to an elevated track. He formed nine teams from his 18-member class and began to teach them the basics. Original version included a soccer ball and two baskets of peaches attached to each end of a gymnasium. Players could only shoot at the basket from below; goaltending was not yet a part of the game. The game spread rapidly across America. In the early 1900s, professional basketball teams were playing in large arenas. Today, it is one of the most popular sports in the world.
What is the average salary of NBA players?
The NBA's average salary for the 2021-2022 seasons is $7.3million. This is based upon the $134 million salary cap that was established for this season. The individual salaries of players can vary depending on their accomplishments and experience.
Superstar players like LeBron James and Kevin Durant can earn up to $40 million a year, while rookies may make as little as the minimum salary of $898,310. Based on years of experience, veteran players might be eligible for mid-level exception salary ranges from $4.76million to $9.258m. In addition, players can earn bonuses and other incentives through their teams depending on their team's performance.
What is the most accomplished NBA team of all time?
This question will be debated for many years by fans. With 17 titles, the Los Angeles Lakers (with 17 titles) and the Boston Celtics (17 with 17 titles) have the most NBA championships. The Chicago Bulls were in their prime during the 1990s, when six titles were won by Phil Jackson, a Hall of Fame coach. The San Antonio Spurs have won five titles since 1999. In the same decade, the Golden State Warriors has won four. Other notable NBA teams are the Philadelphia 76ers, Kobe Shaq Lakers, and LeBron Jam's Miami Heat, who won back-to–back championships for 2012 and 2013.
Statistics
- An estimated 800 million viewers watched the [105]2017–18 season. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20 percent of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- As of 2014, 45 percent of its viewers were black, while 40 percent were white, making it the only top North American sport that does not have a white majority audience.[102]As of 2017Democrats than Republicans.[103]Outside (en.wikipedia.org)
- "NBA first-round ratings drop 27 percent, 40 percent since 2017–18". (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
nba.com
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
sbnation.com
bleacherreport.com
- Which NBA Teams Will Participate in the Victor Wembanyama-Tankathon?
- Recent NBA Intel: Sources expect Zach LaVine will re-sign with the Chicago Bulls
How To
How an NBA Getty Images Photographer Captures Perfect Shots
This article aims to show how an NBA Getty Images photographer can capture the perfect shot. First, you must choose the right location. Next, choose the best angle to take your photo. Finally, anticipate what might occur next.
- Step 1 - Selecting the Right Place
Select the right time and the place where you want to take your photograph in order get the best result. You could lose the moment if there is too much activity. To avoid blocking your view, it is best to locate a spot where people won't be able or unable to see you taking photos.
As soon as you've found a good spot, start snapping away. It is always easier to get closer to the action than to go further back.
- Step2: Finding the Best Angle
After finding the right location, don't forget to think about the camera angle. This is the second most important aspect to consider when taking great images.
Choose a position that gives you a clear view of the subject matter without getting in the way of anything happening. You can look through the basket hoops if you want to capture a basketball player performing a layup. This will allow you to see the player clearly and without any obstacles.
Next, look for interesting angles. Try to find one that shows something unique about the athlete. A low angle will help showcase his height, while a high angle will highlight his athleticism.
Framing is the final thing to consider. Framing is how things are placed within a frame. When choosing the best composition, balance the foreground (what is nearest to the lens), with the background.
- Step 3: Anticipating what might happen next
Remember to think ahead. It is important to think ahead if you spot something unusual, like someone jumping into the lane and a ball rolling toward you rim. You can quickly call "action" or cut.
After you hear these words, freeze the scene. Then, wait for the action to resume before moving forward again. By freezing the scene, you ensure you'll have a sharp focus when you press the shutter button.
By following these steps, you'll be sure to capture the perfect shot every time. You can master the art of being a NBA Getty Images photographer with patience and practice. The result will be stunning photos that last a lifetime.
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